Dan Brannan is Content Director of RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. Dan started at Riverbender.com/Edglentoday.com in December 2014. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. Having previously served as the Executive Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, his 17-year tenure led the paper to over 350 awards including several General Excellence awards in the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Associated Press, Freedom Communications, Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Journal Register Company contests. Brannan was chosen to lead Freedom Communications' national pilot on social media.
He is the author of eight nonfiction books including: "The Courage to Live," a biography about Donna Gustavel, a young woman with multiple disabilities; "Everyday Angels," an inspirational book of moving human interest stories; "Live Life to the Fullest: Stories of People Coping With Diabetes" which is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association; "Boy Giant: The Story of Robert Wadlow The World's Tallest Man;" "Damn Cold and Starving" written with Sgt. Marion Ray; "You Can't Kill the Dream" co-written with fellow journalist Ande Yakstis; and "A Life in Parts," the story of Loretta Goebel and endorsed by Beatle Paul McCartney.
Dan, an avid exercise enthusiast, is a member of the American Diabetes Association and lives in Maryville. Dan has two children in college - Savannah and Sierra.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Prosecutors have charged a 49-year-old man with abandoning a corpse after police conducting a welfare check found a woman’s body inside an apartment in the 8800 block of Dragonwyck Drive, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Monday...
BETHALTO/WOOD RIVER - Hit-N-Run will bring back its drive-thru service on a limited schedule starting Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, reopening first at its Bethalto location after what owner Dwight Fowler described as "strong customer demand." The Bethalto Hit-N-Run drive-thru is set to reopen from 7 a.m....
ALTON - Officers, dispatchers, citizens and community leaders from across Southern Illinois gathered recently, at The Regency for the 33rd Annual SILEC/SIPCA Awards Banquet, where Alton Police Department Officer Beuttel received a Life Saving Award for actions taken during a July 5, 2025, house fire...
PEORIA - The massive group of Edwardsville High School students was standouts at the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State from Jan. 28-31, 2026. The group of musicians rehearsed all weekend, culminating in what was described as "a fantastic performance" by the EHS Fine Arts...
JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 had five students recognized as All-State performers during a week at the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEA) Jan. 28-31, 2026, where the JCHS Jazz Ensemble also performed. The Jersey Community School District commended...
Paula Jameson was the photographer at the Jersey Wrestling Meet on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. She is with Lady Luck Designs and Photography. JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community High School’s junior varsity and girls wrestling teams posted multiple top finishes Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at a...
ALTON - Area residents Cody Jackson, Gabby and Ralph need help after a total-loss house fire on Jan. 30, 2026, left them without a home and killed their family dog and cats, according to organizer Hannah Hosick of Alton. Hosick said the fire left the three with “only the clothes on their backs”...
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis will host matches for the LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournament at Energizer Park, city officials announced Tuesday morning. Mayor Cara Spencer joined Diego Gigliani, president and general manager of St. Louis CITY SC; Marc Schreiber, president of the St. Louis Sports...
Photos courtesy of Rosewood Heights Fire Department. COTTAGE HILLS — The Cottage Hills Fire Protection District responded at 2:04 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, to a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Wood River Avenue in Cottage Hills, according to the district. The district said...
ALTON/EAST ST. LOUIS — Alton and East St. Louis are among several cities highlighted by the Illinois Tourism Office for this Black History Month for their museums and historical sites that document Black history, offering educational and reflective experiences for visitors. These institutions...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
